Occasionally, root canal treated teeth can fail to heal properly or get re-infected over time.
A tooth may not heal as expected after initial root canal treatment for a variety of reasons including (but not limited to) delayed placement of a crown or other restoration following endodontic treatment, secondary tooth decay, cracks or fractures of the tooth itself, previously missed canals, or canals that were never treated or sealed fully.
When retreatment is necessary, the tooth will be reopened to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials such as the crown, post and core material must be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals.
After removing the canal filling, the endodontist can clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using a microscope searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.
After cleaning the canals, the endodontist will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth. If the canals are unusually narrow or blocked, surgery may be recommended.
Following the retreatment procedure, you will need to return to your dentist within a few weeks to have a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
Is Retreatment the Best Choice?
Whenever possible, it is best to save your natural tooth. Retreated teeth can function well for years, even for a lifetime. Advances in technology are constantly changing and new techniques that were not available when you had your first root canal procedure may now be able to resolve your problem with retreatment.
